ACEware Latent Fingerprint Identification Research and Software Development

• NCJ Number: 251092
• Author(s): William J. Chapman; R. Austin Hicklin
• Date Published: February 2017
• Length: 56 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2013-R2-CX-K011
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance; Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

This report describes the development, capabilities, and uses of the ACEware software, which supports the detailed documentation of latent print examination and facilitates training and the documentation of operational casework.

Abstract

ACEware is being developed by Noblis in collaboration and consultation with several Federal, State, and local law enforcement partners. ACEware builds upon the pre-existing Universal Latent Workstation (ULW) application provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). ULW provides latent print examiners with tools to mark-up latent print images; submit latent print searches to local, State, and Federal Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS), including the Next Generation Identification (NGI) system; performs comparisons of latent prints and returned candidate images; and provides latent print case-management tools that store and sort transactions related to operational casework. Four ACEware capabilities are emphasized in this report. First, it can be used for data-set based, instructor-led training or data-set or file based self-led training. Second, it enables the creation and management of datasets for use in research or training, including the ability to set relationships between all files contained within the dataset. Third, it enables comparison or consolidation of the markup of a single latent print by multiple examiners. Fourth, ACEware provides a variety of improvements to ULW to enable non-AFIS casework. 36 figures, 57 references, and appended data set directory specification and compliments and enhancement suggestions.